Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a chemical commonly that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts -term exposure could cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard right next to their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues from the former rail yard. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.DioxinDioxins are substances that don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil, or sediment for long periods. They can come from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could affect your health depending on many factors such as how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. Csx Lawsuit Settlements were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.LeadLead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other diseases.In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful for children as well as adults. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.